Chapter 24: The Insect Web
Zhuang He’s hand holding the water cup paused. He lowered his eyes, lost in thought for a moment, wondering if he should tell the other boy what had just transpired.
After all, he felt this matter concerned Lu Yin’s own person; it was only appropriate to inform him.
“Well… it was because of your spiritual power…”
Zhuang He gave Lu Yin a brief account of the situation. As he spoke, he watched the tips of the Sentinel’s ears and cheeks flush a deep crimson. Seeing this, Zhuang He’s own lingering bashfulness vanished. Instead, he arched an eyebrow, looking at the young man beside him.
“Are you shy? It’s understandable. You were out of control at the time, and that was the fastest way to help you recover.”
Though Zhuang He spoke words of comfort, to Lu Yin’s ears, they were no different from a detonating bomb.
He actually—he actually did that with the Teacher! What was even more frustrating was that he had been completely blacked out during the process! He didn’t remember a single thing!
An unspeakable sense of aggrieved bitterness spread through his heart. Lu Yin clutched the water cup in his hands, falling into a silent pout.
“Alright, don’t overthink it.”
Zhuang He moved closer to Lu Yin, patting him on the shoulder and offering comfort in the capacity of an elder.
“…Did it feel good for Teacher?”
Lu Yin mumbled under his breath, finally blurting out such a question.
Zhuang He froze. A flush seemed to creep back onto his cheeks. He coughed lightly and turned his head away. “What nonsense are you talking? It was just an accident.”
An accident? Lu Yin’s heart sank to the bottom, but seeing the faint redness on Zhuang He’s earlobes, he felt a spark of cheer return.
“Fine.”
Lu Yin leaned closer to Zhuang He. Perhaps because they had just shared such an intimate experience, he felt a natural sense of closeness toward the Guide.
He looked at Zhuang He with a gaze that was both earnest and fervent. Zhuang He felt somewhat unsettled by the scrutiny; he didn’t dare meet those burning eyes. Only his crimson ears betrayed their owner’s discomfort.
This sight was a novelty to Lu Yin. He tilted his head curiously, staring until Zhuang He became truly restless.
“What are you looking at me for?”
“Teacher is a bit different from how the forums describe you.”
Thinking of the rumors and discussions he had seen on the school boards, Lu Yin spoke with a grin.
This piqued Zhuang He’s curiosity, overriding his shyness. He turned to look at Lu Yin and asked, “What do they say?”
Lu Yin pulled back slightly, letting the cool air flow between them once more. Zhuang He blinked, a flicker of inexplicable loneliness flashing through his heart for a fleeting second.
“On the forums, many people say Teacher is cold and aloof, very difficult to approach. At first, I was worried Teacher wouldn’t like me, but now I think Teacher is wonderful.”
Lu Yin spoke with such sincerity that it made Zhuang He blush more than any confession ever could. Many people had praised him before, but none had ever made him feel… quite like this.
“Cold and aloof?”
Zhuang He was somewhat puzzled. “Why would they have that impression?”
Lu Yin looked at the hands braced against the sofa. They were very white, with long, slender fingers, looking a size smaller than his own.
Because of the Guide’s slightly forward-leaning posture, his loose collar swayed. Occasionally, a glimpse of snowy white skin would flash into Lu Yin’s vision.
For a moment, Lu Yin’s throat went dry. He completely missed whatever Zhuang He said next.
When no answer came, Zhuang He looked at Lu Yin strangely, only to catch a trace of lingering, greedy desire in the Sentinel’s eyes that hadn’t yet dissipated.
His heart skipped a beat, but he failed to grasp the significance of that fleeting feeling.
“Ah, oh, right. It’s just that everyone discusses it. They say Teacher usually comes and goes alone, and always keeps a cold face.”
Lu Yin snapped back to reality and looked at him with a smile. Although Zhuang He’s facial expressions were indeed sparse, Lu Yin could accurately distinguish whether a slight furrow of the brow meant dissatisfaction or mere annoyance.
Recalling those forum posts, a secret sense of triumph surged in Lu Yin’s heart.
Was he the only one who could distinguish the subtle shifts in Zhuang He’s expressions and emotions?
This feeling of exclusivity made Lu Yin look at him like a wolf staring at its chosen prey—eyes fixed and determined.
Zhuang He didn’t notice the shift in Lu Yin’s mood; he was simply speechless at the rumors.
“Where do they get those messy ideas… I’m just too lazy to bother with things.”
He reflected for a moment. He did often keep a cold face, but the primary reason was that he was too beautiful—so beautiful that people would swarm him wherever he went. Keeping an icy facade made that situation much more manageable.
Over time, he had simply grown accustomed to the expression. But if someone were to call his personality “aloof,” he didn’t think that was accurate at all.
Du Yu’s evaluation of his character was “lazy”—someone who hated fussing and avoided trouble. Zhuang He had accepted this assessment quite happily.
He was a classic example of “extremes meet.” The excessive fatigue from his past training meant that now, he wouldn’t stand if he could sit, and wouldn’t sit if he could lie down.
Once he no longer had to worry about survival, he grew so reclusive that he didn’t even like leaving his house.
Fortunately, modern Imperial society was highly advanced. Even without stepping out, he could live a rich and vibrant life.
He had simply blocked out most external evaluations. If Lu Yin hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t even have known that was how he appeared to others.
“They’re just the opinions of outsiders—people who don’t understand Teacher. But I know Teacher isn’t like that.”
Whether it was because of what they had shared or not, Lu Yin’s courage had grown significantly. He actually pressed closer to Zhuang He’s side. Their skin touched through the thin fabric of their clothes. Zhuang He wasn’t used to such proximity and tried to scoot away, only to find he was already at the very edge of the sofa, with nowhere left to retreat.
“You…”
Zhuang He turned his head, about to say something, but was met with a handsome, magnified face right in front of his eyes. Looking at Lu Yin’s features, he found himself momentarily speechless.
Lu Yin’s looks were quite aggressive. His features were so deep that he didn’t quite look like a typical Imperial citizen, though wanderers came from all corners of the galaxy, so it wasn’t particularly rare.
His brow bone was equally deep, hiding those blue-green eyes beneath thick lashes, making them look exceptionally mysterious in the shadows.
He lowered his upper body slightly, looking up at Zhuang He from below. He looked like a tiger preparing to hunt—watchful and determined to win.
A voice in Zhuang He’s mind was screaming that he should push Lu Yin away. Even if they had done something “out of line” before, that was just an accident… a single… accident…
At some point, a pleasant scent began to swirl around his nose. Zhuang He gave a small sniff, finding the aroma very comforting.
Was it the cologne Lu Yin was wearing?
Zhuang He didn’t know, because he was now entirely boxed in by Lu Yin’s long arms. The intense pheromones and that intoxicatingly pleasant scent attacked him from all sides, making him feel almost dizzy.
“Teacher…”
A low murmur sounded by Zhuang He’s ear. He blinked, looking confusedly at the source of the sound.
Those were thin lips, now flushed red. He couldn’t tell what they were saying, but they were moving constantly—full and filled with temptation.
Zhuang He swallowed hard, closing his eyes and forcing himself to pull away from this sticky, ambiguous atmosphere.
Lu Yin knew when to stop. He wasn’t a fool; pushing too fast would only scare Zhuang He away, and he didn’t want that.
Now that he was certain of his own heart, Lu Yin would never give up.
Furthermore, Zhuang He’s reaction just now made him feel that the other person wasn’t entirely oblivious.
Previously, he thought he would have to walk a very long road because Zhuang He felt so cold. But he hadn’t expected an accident to change everything…
Lu Yin backed off, releasing Zhuang He from the corner. He felt a secret sense of pride.
He knew that with Zhuang He’s abilities, pushing him away would have been effortless. Yet, the Guide had tacitly allowed his behavior. Not only that, but his expression had betrayed a certain… abnormality. This realization filled Lu Yin with joy.
Zhuang He coughed lightly, ignoring the heat in his body and the scent that still lingered at the tip of his nose. “It’s very late. You should go back and rest early.”
He glanced at the night sky outside, which was now speckled with stars.
“Alright. Teacher, come with me. We can fix the necklace while we’re at it.”
Zhuang He thought about it and agreed.
When the two reached the bottom of the dormitory building, some students out for a night run spotted Zhuang He. The atmosphere immediately grew tense.
Zhuang He didn’t quite understand. He didn’t teach professional classes and only occasionally substituted or helped with physical training. Why did these students seem so afraid of him?
Lu Yin watched silently from the side, offering no explanation for Zhuang He’s confusion. Instead, he turned and asked, “Will Teacher come up with me?”
His tall frame blocked the moonlight, casting Zhuang He entirely into his shadow. For a moment, it felt as if he were being imprisoned.
Zhuang He’s expression flickered for a second. “I’ll come up.”
Although he was used to being the center of attention, it was better to avoid it when possible.
By the time the two walked up to Lu Yin’s dorm, Zhuang He had already been greeted by countless students who had “accidentally” passed by.
He didn’t mind. If someone greeted him, he would respond, though his expression remained cold. Many students only dared to watch him from a distance.
Lu Yin was both annoyed and anxious, but he had no standing to hide Zhuang He away. He could only feel a secret sense of luck. So what if they greet him? The one standing by his side is still me. The one who did ‘that’ with him is still me.
Zhuang He looked at the familiar door. Lu Yin pushed it open, and the sound of gaming inside ceased instantly. Liang Tong and Hua Huijiang both turned to look at the pair at the door.
When they recognized Lu Yin, they practically sprang from the sofa, rushing to him and asking urgently, “You’re back? Are you okay?!”
Only then did they notice Zhuang He standing there. They immediately straightened up and offered a respectful greeting.
Zhuang He’s impression of Lu Yin’s roommates was quite good. Their care and concern for Lu Yin didn’t seem faked.
“Mhm.”
Lu Yin shooed Liang Tong and Hua Huijiang away, comforting them with a smile. “I’m fine. With Teacher there, what is there to worry about?”
Liang Tong nodded, but still felt a lingering fear. “That makes sense. But your spiritual power was terrifying back then. If the Chief had arrived any later, I’m afraid the whole building would have been shattered by the shockwaves.”
At this, Lu Yin’s eyes flickered. He ushered the two away and entered his room with Zhuang He.
Zhuang He stood at the doorway and looked around. The room was just as it had appeared in the video calls—white walls, a sturdy bed with dark bedding. It wasn’t black, but a very deep navy blue.
Aside from a bed and a desk, there were no other facilities. It was simple and clean.
Lu Yin rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a silver necklace, holding it in his palm. The cool touch was a comfort to his burning hand.
“Teacher, here.”
The necklace wasn’t anything special—just an ordinary silver chain. Zhuang He reached out and took it. It still held the warmth from Lu Yin’s palm.
Zhuang He looked down at the necklace. The silver links were clean and bright, clearly well-cared for.
“I’ll take it back and modify it first. It can’t hold much spiritual power as it is, and I’m afraid it won’t be enough.”
He looked up at Lu Yin standing before him, his tone flat.
Lu Yin, of course, didn’t mind. He had calmed down now; having a necklace or not didn’t seem as urgent.
“Sure. Teacher, how did you find out my spiritual power was out of control?”
“Your spiritual body came to find me.”
Speaking of this, Zhuang He was also curious. “How did your spiritual body know where I lived?”
Lu Yin didn’t know either. He frowned in thought for a moment. “Maybe it followed the scent all the way there?”
Followed the scent? Zhuang He nearly laughed, but then realized it wasn’t entirely impossible.
“Mhm. I’ll take the necklace for now and bring it back in a couple of days. You’ll need to wear it during the assessment.”
Lu Yin nodded. He basked in Zhuang He’s presence as he walked him back downstairs, only reluctantly watching the Guide’s back disappear after being rejected multiple times when he tried to escort him further.
Once home, Zhuang He placed the necklace on his nightstand and quickly washed up before lying down to rest.
The day’s exhaustion was finally washed away. So much had happened in a single day that even Zhuang He found it difficult to process.
His light-brain beep-beeped twice. He picked it up to see two messages.
One was from Lu Yin: [Teacher, rest early.]
The other was from Feng Jingtian: [Zhuang He, keep an eye on Shi Yan’s condition during the assessment.]
The message had no context, yet Zhuang He understood exactly what he meant.
He replied to Lu Yin first: [Mhm. You rest early too. No training for the next few days. I’ll contact you the day before the assessment.]
Then he opened Feng Jingtian’s message and stared at it for a long time. Eventually, he closed his light-brain without replying a single word.
Shi Yan, the Council of Elders, the Zerg, the high-ranking Imperial officials.
They didn’t seem related at first, yet they were all connected by a strange thread. And that thread was the Zerg.
Zhuang He lay on his bed, not rushing to inject his sedative to sleep. Instead, he slowly began to peel away the layers of the cocoon he was wrapped in.
A massive insect web was slowly enveloping both him and Lu Yin.
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